The victim killed in a home explosion in Ashtabula County has been identified as a Fairport Harbor woman.†
The Ashtabula County Coronerís Office identified the victim as 27-year-old Malerie B. Nick. An official cause of death has not been determined.†
According to the Star Beacon:†
On July 16, the home at 4033 Montgomery Road in Orwell Township exploded, killing Nick and seriously injuring 23-year-old Jaimes Ortiz, who was also in the home at the time of the explosion.†
A gas leak into the home was ignited by a cigarette, causing the explosion. Michael Duchesne, assistant director of communications for the Ohio Department of Commerce told the Star Beacon that a running appliance caused a water well to empty. Natural gas filled the well and entered the home.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examinerís Office conducted DNA testing, which took several weeks, to confirm Nickís identity.